Posted by mattdds on September 3, 2003, at 12:00:48
In reply to Loosing My MIND!!??, posted by rob t on September 3, 2003, at 8:32:11
Hi rob,
The fact that you are worried about losing your mind is a good sign you are indeed not. Of course, I'm not a psychiatrist, but I do suffer from the same feelings of "unreality" as you put it. There is even a name in psychiatry for feeling "unreal". It's called derealization.
These are symptoms of an anxiety disorder, usually panic disorder. The distressed tone of your message would be a good indication that you are prone to anxiety. Is this correct?
The good news is that anxiety (along with its symptoms of feeling "unreal") is probably the most readily treatable psychiatric problem.
I have done well on antianxiety drugs, namely Klonopin. I also have had cognitive therapy (a form of psychotherapy that is effective for panic attacks). I feel back to myself now. I do occasionally still feel "unreal", but not nearly to the extent I did before, and much less often. I'm getting better, and most people do.
I suggest seeing a good, caring psychiatrist that specializes in anxiety disorders, and go from there.
Best,
Matt
poster:mattdds
thread:256597
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030902/msgs/256633.html